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Scott Bessent on Treasury Department

From WATCH: Rep. Sánchez questions Bessent on Trump and IRS audits in budget hearing · · PBS NewsHour

“Congresswoman is slanderous. She has nothing but but the unsubstantiated opinions, and I will not stand for that. There is nothing corrupt. We we move at the highest levels and just because she cannot get the answer she wants. If she would like to give me facts. She seems long on facts the short on facts, long on hot air. and I will not stand for that.”

Scott Bessent
Treasury Secretary, US Treasury
Controversial Treasury Departmentcorruption allegationstax audits

On , Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary at US Treasury, spoke about Treasury Department during WATCH: Rep. Sánchez questions Bessent on Trump and IRS audits in budget hearing on PBS NewsHour.

WATCH: Rep. Sánchez questions Bessent on Trump and IRS audits in budget hearing
Watch on YouTube at 5:20
WATCH: Rep. Sánchez questions Bessent on Trump and IRS audits in budget hearing
PBS NewsHour
Watch on YouTube at 5:20
Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., questioned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a House Ways and Means hearing Thursday. Bessent appeared in a Senate Finance Committee hearing Wednesday, where he was questioned by Democrats about the fate of a legal settlement between President Donald Trump and the IRS that granted him immunity from future audits. Bessent refused to say whether that aspect was still operational, after the Justice Department announced this week it was dropping a $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund” that would potentially aid Trump allies. Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show. Newsletters: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/subscribe PBS News podcasts: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG Find more from PBS News at https://www.pbs.org/newshour Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2HfsCD6 Follow us: TikTok:   / pbsnews   X:   / newshour   Instagram:   / newshour   Facebook: http://www.pbs.org/newshour
Scott Bessent

About Scott Bessent

Treasury Secretary · US Treasury

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been active in promoting the Trump administration's economic policies, including tax cuts and a new savings program for foster youth. In June 2026, Bessent joined First Lady Melania Trump to announce "Fostering the Future" accounts, a dedicated savings and investment vehicle for children in foster care. Bessent described the accounts as a "historic new savings tool" and stated that every American child born between January 2025 and December 2028 would be eligible for a $1,000 seed contribution from the Treasury. He said that, assuming historical growth rates, the deposit could grow to at least half a million dollars by retirement age. Bessent also testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, where he defended the "no tax on overtime" provision and the "working families tax cuts," arguing that they benefit middle-class and lower-income earners. He stated that 96% of filers claiming the overtime deduction earn under $200,000 annually. Bessent faced sharp questioning from Democratic lawmakers during multiple congressional hearings. In May and June 2026, he was pressed on topics including the economic impact of tariffs, a settlement involving President Trump's IRS audits, and the creation of a proposed $250 bill featuring Trump's image. Bessent declined to answer questions about the IRS settlement, citing ongoing litigation and attorney-client privilege, and deferred to the Department of Justice. When questioned about a reported effort to design a $250 bill with Trump's portrait, Bessent acknowledged that federal law prohibits the image of a living person from appearing on U.S. currency. He also defended the administration's sanctions policy on Russia, stating that the Biden administration's sanctions were "weak" and that the current approach has kept global energy prices lower.

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